REST IN PEACE (Page 161 of 208)
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Hero's
Hero’s come in all shapes and sizes Some of them are big surprises Matters not just who they are They come from near and some so far Making our world a better place To live our life in this humane race Some don’t know just what they have done But that hero lives inside every one Now sit and think deep down inside What’s gone passed in your life The littlest thing that’s helped someone Your their hero and now you one Remember all our hero’s now When at home or in your car You can be sure one won’t be far 10 01 2009 Chellaston Jim O'Donnell : 
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NRA Endowment Member
TSRA Life Member
GOA Life Member
Tennessee Squire
Trigger # 19
Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it - Pericles
TSRA Life Member
GOA Life Member
Tennessee Squire
Trigger # 19
Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it - Pericles
| I check this thread every day hoping for good news and fearing the worst. I like many am just a faceless name from across the country that came to care for Jeff and his family. I'm poor but gave what cash I could, my bone marrow was rejected and my prayers were denied. You don't know me but I'm sitting here, tears running down my cheeks, sharing your pain. -Mark |
Never give up! Never surrender!
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Originally Posted By 1extremeGTO:
https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=732434 ARFCOM to add a marker Donate funds - http://www.gofundme.com/4zxjjk Bone Marrow Donation - http://bethematch.org/Support-the-Cause/Donate-bone-marrow/Join-the-marrow-registry/Medical-guidelines/ I'll just leave these here for now. |
Augustus McCrae; " By God, Woodrow; it's been one hell of a party "
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Well... damn.
I don't know what else to say. I tried to think of something more eloquent, but... I can't. Damn. I'm gonna go hug my dog and call my mom. |
It's dangerous being free, but most come to like the taste o' it.
There's nothing in the Second Amendment about restriction except the prohibition thereof.
There's nothing in the Second Amendment about restriction except the prohibition thereof.
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Words fail me! But Christ never does. Prayers continue for a miracle ...or if it is not Gods will... the Peace and Strength to understand and go forward.
ANGELS UP ! ! ! |
The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools, such as those who made him their president."
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I'm speechless, Just damn speechless.
Well, that's not the news we were hoping for.
I will still be praying for you and your family Jeff. Reta, thank you for the update, that is some tough news. Lets keep praying for Jeffs recovery. I haven't mentioned it in this thread because frankly, this is not a thread about me, it's about a wonderful man and his family who opened the eyes of strangers to what life should be about. But, here goes. I think this hits home for me pretty hard, My wife has been struggling lately. She was found to have thyroid cancer (usually not to uncommon), remove the thyroid and all should be well. Right? No, next was cervical cancer. Hysterectomy done, fingers crossed. right? Nope! Months later shes sick, tired, having a rough go at life in general. More tests. Bloodwork is a mess blood counts all fubared. Testing for lymphoma came back negative. Thank god. So more tests to come. 
I think I'm gonna go sit with my wife now. Reta, Tell Jeff he has a family in snowy ND pulling for him and give him a hug for us. Jeff fight to the last buddy. |
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Originally Posted By LSUTigersFan:
Seems like many people here are better for having known you. No man can ask for a better testament. God bless, and you will be in my prayers Well said. Jeff, come what may, you have touched so many, many lives through your courage and openness. Reta, your strength is an inspiration. You both have so much to be proud of. Hold fast to your hope. Live in the moment. Be not bitter. Know that you are not alone in your struggles. We are here for you. - Strength and Prayers |
The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' - Ronald Reagan
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I sat on my girlfriend's porch tonight and cried
The last few weeks have been heavy for lack of a better word. Tomorrow marks 4 years since dad passed to non-hodgkins lymphoma and half the time I cried over him and half for Jeff and Reta. I won't forget the time Jeff and I spoke and when I knew he went to get his new rifle 
I could hear his voice pick up when we were talking about reloading
I continue to pray for him and Reta for a miracle and a chance to meet him. We're mourning to try to shoulder the weight of this and I'm saddened that we go through this in life. Cancer sucks. Jeff if you get a chance to read this, please call me. Thank you for sharing this with us and God bless you my friend. |
RIP John Noveske. You are missed.
AR-15 Armorer Instructor.
AR-15 Armorer Instructor.
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Just a few words from the man above for your reflection;
Isaiah 41:10-13 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. And for all the brothers and sisters on arfcom: 2 Thessalonians 3:13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. |
Call Sign- Potato
Official ARF Nickname- Paulie the Rake
Joined:
Dec 2012
Posts:
1053
EE: 100% (4)
VA, USA
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Originally Posted By ole_slewfoot:
Just a few words from the man above for your reflection; Isaiah 41:10-13 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. And for all the brothers and sisters on arfcom: 2 Thessalonians 3:13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. Your FIL would be proud. He used the last verse quite often in his preaching. Jeff and Reda you are still in my prayers.
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Blonde is not just a hair color, it is a lifestyle.
Team Ranstad
Team Ranstad
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Another complete stranger here, sending positive thoughts and prayers your way Jeff and Reta.
A couple things crossed my mind as I read the most recent news on Jeff's condition. There are about eight to ten thousand souls on this website at any given time. Most concern themselves with things that matter little in the grand scheme of things. Carrying on petty arguments and disagreements. Lusting after the next greatest piece of equipment. We all do it. It's human nature. We can't think about our mortality every moment of every day. So we focus on our day to day lives, not even realizing that by doing so, we are taking things for granted. I'm truly grateful to you Jeff and Reta - along with so many of you who have posted some pretty awesome thoughts in the last 160 pages. I thank you for helping to unplug me from all the things that don't matter, and bringing me back to what is most important - family, friends, faith, along with showing caring and concern for each other. Keep fighting! |
Thank You devildog12210
"There is no such thing as public money. There is only tax payer money." - Margaret Thatcher
"There is no such thing as public money. There is only tax payer money." - Margaret Thatcher
America, Turn to God Because only He can Help Us!
Joined:
Apr 2008
Posts:
5944
EE: 100% (341)
TN, USA
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Had to wipe away some tears to be able to type.
I am THE eternal optimist. Reta, this is not over. It ain't over till the fat lady sings. I have not seen nor heard from any fat lady's on this thread. Please be strong. Know that there are prayers from all over the world being spoken, breathed, and thought. At all hours of the day. For Jeff and you. A simple prayer. Heavenly Father, I ask you to heal this man. I ask for you to give this woman strength. I ask that you give his family peace. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. |
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I am deeply saddened about Jeff's deteriorating condition. I haven't stopped praying for him since the beginning of this and I'll be damned if I stop now.
I ask God to please comfort Jeff, Reta, and their family in this time of need. |
Montani Semper Liberi
Proud member: NRA, WVCDL
Proud member: NRA, WVCDL
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Reta, You are one strong lady, mother and wife. Could any husband ask for more. Your composure and grace with this. Plus giving updates to your husbands hobby website.
Lands you squarely in the amazing category...The fact that you talk to the doctors and get daily updates. Gives you insight that we do not have. You know him more intimately than anyone else...You will know when he just needs to rest..But by God! I personally could leave on a trip or pass away. knowing that you would be there. To make sure things would be taken care of. Jeff made smart decisions...His best was marrying you. I wish you both peace. |
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Reta's update is NOT what I was expecting. Now more than ever, believe and have faith that Jeff will be healed against all medical wisdom and walk out of that hospital. Pray it. Believe it.
Originally Posted By TominOregon:
A simple prayer. Heavenly Father, I ask you to heal this man. I ask for you to give this woman strength. I ask that you give his family peace. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. This. Amen. Never give up hope! And This. ARFCOM, it has been 4 days since a donation was posted. Find $10... $20... $50... Raid the change jar. Something! Post it! https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=732434 ARFCOM to add a marker Donate funds - http://www.gofundme.com/4zxjjk Bone Marrow Donation - http://bethematch.org/Support-the-Cause/Donate-bone-marrow/Join-the-marrow-registry/Medical-guidelines/ |
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Originally Posted By FW_wife:
Well gang, I'm not sure how to do this. Never had to do this and hope I never have to again. I guess I'll just rip the band-aid off. There's nothing left to offer Jeff but love and compassion. He is giving it the ol' college try, and he's thrown everything at this sucker, but it will ultimately take him. He came to the hospital Monday and had a CT scan. The scan showed incredible progression in the size of the tumor - the exact opposite of what we all hoped. The tumor is now bigger than it was in the beginning and occupying most of his "Buddha" belly. He also has some blood clots for which they would usually insert an IVC filter, but his inferior vena cava is compressed by the tumor. They could attempt another route for insertion, but it would involve general anesthesia and he has been deemed too high risk. For now he is getting antibiotics for infection in his blood, breathing treatments, and pain medication. He is sleeping well for now, though has some panic attacks and must sit up occasionally. Next step, hospice. 
We were encouraged in the beginning of all this, knowing that lymphoma is curable. Then after the first four cycles of chemo showed a little more than 50% reduction in the tumor and the doctor was not happy with that, we knew he was up against something really tough. But never in a million years would we have dreamed we would be where we are today, just 7.5 months later. This... just... SUCKS. This is ri-god-damn-diculous. Jeff has done so much good and I can't tell you how honored I am, WE are, to have such loving, wonderful, stand-up people around us. I am glad I have gotten to meet some of you and gotten to share Jeff with you. Jeff is so loved and I am grateful for every day by his side. Of course, it hasn't all been roses, but is it ever? 
The fight goes on, though. I still encourage you and your adult kids to donate blood and/or stem cells if able. Give money to fund cancer research - American Cancer Society, Lymphoma Research Foundation, WHATEVER! Oh no, my prayers are going out to you Jeff and Reta and your family as well. |
"It's not about the nail!"
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Originally Posted By OneMorePass:
Reta's update is NOT what I was expecting. Now more than ever, believe and have faith that Jeff will be healed against all medical wisdom and walk out of that hospital. Pray it. Believe it. This. Amen. Never give up hope! And This. ARFCOM, it has been 4 days since a donation was posted. Find $10... $20... $50... Raid the change jar. Something! Post it! https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=732434 ARFCOM to add a marker Donate funds - http://www.gofundme.com/4zxjjk Bone Marrow Donation - http://bethematch.org/Support-the-Cause/Donate-bone-marrow/Join-the-marrow-registry/Medical-guidelines/ Originally Posted By OneMorePass:
Reta's update is NOT what I was expecting. Now more than ever, believe and have faith that Jeff will be healed against all medical wisdom and walk out of that hospital. Pray it. Believe it. Originally Posted By TominOregon:
A simple prayer. Heavenly Father, I ask you to heal this man. I ask for you to give this woman strength. I ask that you give his family peace. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. This. Amen. Never give up hope! And This. ARFCOM, it has been 4 days since a donation was posted. Find $10... $20... $50... Raid the change jar. Something! Post it! https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=732434 ARFCOM to add a marker Donate funds - http://www.gofundme.com/4zxjjk Bone Marrow Donation - http://bethematch.org/Support-the-Cause/Donate-bone-marrow/Join-the-marrow-registry/Medical-guidelines/ OneMorePass had the guts to say what I was thinking. family health concerns and icy roads my keep me from the 5 hour drive to meet Jeff and Reta this weekend but I would not refuse a friend the cost of a mag or box-o-bullets. lets pay it forward. A pin, a buck, or a match. I have received more , than I can ever repay. The REEDS and the rest of you shall be in my thoughts today. |
Augustus McCrae; " By God, Woodrow; it's been one hell of a party "
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Jim Valvano Speech http://www.jimmyv.org/about-us/remembering-jim/jimmy-v-espy-awards-speech/
Thank you, Thank you very much. Thank you. That’s the lowest I’ve ever seen Dick Vitale since the owner of the Detroit Pistons called him in and told him he should go into broadcasting. The I can’t tell you what an honor it is, to even be mentioned in the same breath with Arthur Ashe. This is something I certainly will treasure forever. But, as it was said on the tape, and I also don’t have one of those things going with the cue cards, so I’m going to speak longer than anybody else has spoken tonight. That’s the way it goes. Time is very precious to me. I don’t know how much I have left and I have some things that I would like to say. Hopefully, at the end, I will have said something that will be important to other people too. But, I can’t help it. Now I’m fighting cancer, everybody knows that. People ask me all the time about how you go through your life and how’s your day, and nothing is changed for me. As Dick said, I’m a very emotional and passionate man. I can’t help it. That’s being the son of Rocco and Angelina Valvano. It comes with the territory. We hug, we kiss, we love. When people say to me how do you get through life or each day, it’s the same thing. To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. Number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special. I rode on the plane up today with Mike Krzyzewski, my good friend and wonderful coach. People don’t realize he’s ten times a better person than he is a coach, and we know he’s a great coach. He’s meant a lot to me in these last five or six months with my battle. But when I look at Mike, I think, we competed against each other as players. I coached against him for fifteen years, and I always have to think about what’s important in life to me are these three things. Where you started, where you are and where you’re going to be. Those are the three things that I try to do every day. When I think about getting up and giving a speech, I can’t help it. I have to remember the first speech I ever gave. I was coaching at Rutgers University, that was my first job, oh that’s wonderful (reaction to applause), and I was the freshman coach. That’s when freshmen played on freshman teams, and I was so fired up about my first job. I see Lou Holtz here. Coach Holtz, who doesn’t like the very first job you had? The very first time you stood in the locker room to give a pep talk. That’s a special place, the locker room, for a coach to give a talk. So my idol as a coach was Vince Lombardi, and I read this book called “Commitment To Excellence” by Vince Lombardi. And in the book, Lombardi talked about the fist time he spoke before his Green Bay Packers team in the locker room, and they were perennial losers. I’m reading this and Lombardi said he was thinking should it be a long talk, or a short talk? But he wanted it to be emotional, so it would be brief. So here’s what I did. Normally you get in the locker room, I don’t know, twenty-five minutes, a half hour before the team takes the field, you do your little x and o’s, and then you give the great Knute Rockne talk. We all do. Speech number eight-four. You pull them right out, you get ready. You get your squad ready. Well, this is the first one I ever gave and I read this thing. Lombardi, what he said was he didn’t go in, he waited. His team wondering, where is he? Where is this great coach? He’s not there. Ten minutes he’s still not there. Three minutes before they could take the field Lombardi comes in, bangs the door open, and I think you all remember what great presence he had, great presence. He walked in and he walked back and forth, like this, just walked, staring at the players. He said, “All eyes on me.” I’m reading this in this book. I’m getting this picture of Lombardi before his first game and he said “Gentlemen, we will be successful this year, if you can focus on three things, and three things only. Your family, your religion and the Green Bay Packers.” They knocked the walls down and the rest was history. I said, that’s beautiful. I’m going to do that. Your family, your religion and Rutgers basketball. That’s it. I had it. Listen, I’m twenty-one years old. The kids I’m coaching are nineteen, and I’m going to be the greatest coach in the world, the next Lombardi. I’m practicing outside of the locker room and the managers tell me you got to go in. Not yet, not yet, family, religion, Rutgers Basketball. All eyes on me. I got it, I got it. Then finally he said, three minutes, I said fine. True story. I go to knock the doors open just like Lombardi. Boom! They don’t open. I almost broke my arm. Now I was down, the players were looking. Help the coach out, help him out. Now I did like Lombardi, I walked back and forth, and I was going like that with my arm getting the feeling back in it. Finally I said, “Gentlemen, all eyes on me.” These kids wanted to play, they’re nineteen. “Let’s go,” I said. “Gentlemen, we’ll be successful this year if you can focus on three things, and three things only. Your family, your religion and the Green Bay Packers,” I told them. I did that. I remember that. I remember where I came from. It’s so important to know where you are. I know where I am right now. How do you go from where you are to where you want to be? I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal. You have to be willing to work for it. I talked about my family, my family’s so important. People think I have courage. The courage in my family are my wife Pam, my three daughters, here, Nicole, Jamie, LeeAnn, my mom, who’s right here too. That screen is flashing up there thirty seconds like I care about that screen right now, huh? I got tumors all over my body. I’m worried about some guy in the back going thirty seconds? You got a lot, hey va fa napoli, buddy. You got a lot. I just got one last thing, I urge all of you, all of you, to enjoy your life, the precious moments you have. To spend each day with some laughter and some thought, to get your emotions going. To be enthusiastic every day and as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Nothing great could be accomplished without enthusiasm,” to keep your dreams alive in spite of problems whatever you have. The ability to be able to work hard for your dreams to come true, to become a reality. Now I look at where I am now and I know what I want to do. What I would like to be able to do is spend whatever time I have left and to give, and maybe, some hope to others. Arthur Ashe Foundation is a wonderful thing, and AIDS, the amount of money pouring in for AIDS is not enough, but is significant. But if I told you it’s ten times the amount that goes in for cancer research. I also told you that five hundred thousand people will die this year of cancer. I also tell you that one in every four will be afflicted with this disease, and yet somehow, we seem to have put it in a little bit of the background. I want to bring it back on the front table. We need your help. I need your help. We need money for research. It may not save my life. It may save my children’s lives. It may save someone you love. And ESPN has been so kind to support me in this endeavor and allow me to announce tonight, that with ESPN’s support, which means what? Their money and their dollars and they’re helping me-we are starting the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. And its motto is “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.” That’s what I’m going to try to do every minute that I have left. I will thank God for the day and the moment I have. If you see me, smile and give me a hug. That’s important to me too. But try if you can to support, whether it’s AIDS or the cancer foundation, so that someone else might survive, might prosper and might actually be cured of this dreaded disease. I can’t thank ESPN enough for allowing this to happen. I’m going to work as hard as I can for cancer research and hopefully, maybe, we’ll have some cures and some breakthroughs. I’d like to think, I’m going to fight my brains out to be back here again next year for the Arthur Ashe recipient. I want to give it next year! I know, I gotta go, I gotta go, and I got one last thing and I said it before, and I want to say it again. Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever. I thank you and God bless you all. |
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Jeff / Reta,
I have been following this thread since day 1 though I never posted. I have kept you in my thoughts and prayers checking back each day. I just want you to know that your story has made me a better man. It has made me cherish the time I spend with my wife and children as well as making me realize I need to spend as much time with them as possible. I have also made strides to become healthier to make sure I am around as long as I can possibly be. I am just one of thousands Jeff has reached and made a better person. I will pray for comfort for you family in these times of need. Prayers... Bob |
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Originally Posted By txpopgun:
OneMorePass had the guts to say what I was thinking. family health concerns and icy roads my keep me from the 5 hour drive to meet Jeff and Reta this weekend but I would not refuse a friend the cost of a mag or box-o-bullets. lets pay it forward. A pin, a buck, or a match. I have received more , than I can ever repay. The REEDS and the rest of you shall be in my thoughts today. Originally Posted By txpopgun:
Originally Posted By OneMorePass:
Reta's update is NOT what I was expecting. Now more than ever, believe and have faith that Jeff will be healed against all medical wisdom and walk out of that hospital. Pray it. Believe it. Originally Posted By TominOregon:
A simple prayer. Heavenly Father, I ask you to heal this man. I ask for you to give this woman strength. I ask that you give his family peace. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. This. Amen. Never give up hope! And This. ARFCOM, it has been 4 days since a donation was posted. Find $10... $20... $50... Raid the change jar. Something! Post it! https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=732434 ARFCOM to add a marker Donate funds - http://www.gofundme.com/4zxjjk Bone Marrow Donation - http://bethematch.org/Support-the-Cause/Donate-bone-marrow/Join-the-marrow-registry/Medical-guidelines/ OneMorePass had the guts to say what I was thinking. family health concerns and icy roads my keep me from the 5 hour drive to meet Jeff and Reta this weekend but I would not refuse a friend the cost of a mag or box-o-bullets. lets pay it forward. A pin, a buck, or a match. I have received more , than I can ever repay. The REEDS and the rest of you shall be in my thoughts today. Now that I have a little more composure. It's a small amount. I'm damn near in tears at work. God, Father, Though it seems like you don't hear our prayers, I KNOW there is a purpose for everything You do. I pray for you to lay your hand on the entire Reed family. We don't have a clue as to their sorrow at this time, and I would ask that you bring comfort to them all. I pray that you flood their house with Your love and hold them. God, Jeff is a fine man and you have blessed him beyond his dreams by giving him his loving family, that has been by his side through this fight. I pray that you let him continue the fight. God, you've also blessed the Reed family with a secondary family of faceless names as it was said earlier. Some may not believe in you God, a lot of us do. Maybe a lot of us found you. Bless these people God, comfort them. In the name of Our heavenly Father For Victory, Amen |
GOOD QUESTION!!!
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Originally Posted By FW_wife:
Well gang, I'm not sure how to do this. Never had to do this and hope I never have to again. I guess I'll just rip the band-aid off. There's nothing left to offer Jeff but love and compassion. He is giving it the ol' college try, and he's thrown everything at this sucker, but it will ultimately take him. He came to the hospital Monday and had a CT scan. The scan showed incredible progression in the size of the tumor - the exact opposite of what we all hoped. The tumor is now bigger than it was in the beginning and occupying most of his "Buddha" belly. He also has some blood clots for which they would usually insert an IVC filter, but his inferior vena cava is compressed by the tumor. They could attempt another route for insertion, but it would involve general anesthesia and he has been deemed too high risk. For now he is getting antibiotics for infection in his blood, breathing treatments, and pain medication. He is sleeping well for now, though has some panic attacks and must sit up occasionally. Next step, hospice.
We were encouraged in the beginning of all this, knowing that lymphoma is curable. Then after the first four cycles of chemo showed a little more than 50% reduction in the tumor and the doctor was not happy with that, we knew he was up against something really tough. But never in a million years would we have dreamed we would be where we are today, just 7.5 months later. This... just... SUCKS. This is ri-god-damn-diculous. Jeff has done so much good and I can't tell you how honored I am, WE are, to have such loving, wonderful, stand-up people around us. I am glad I have gotten to meet some of you and gotten to share Jeff with you. Jeff is so loved and I am grateful for every day by his side. Of course, it hasn't all been roses, but is it ever?
The fight goes on, though. I still encourage you and your adult kids to donate blood and/or stem cells if able. Give money to fund cancer research - American Cancer Society, Lymphoma Research Foundation, WHATEVER! I'm very sorry to hear this Reta. I visited Jeff the first or second night he was in the hospital, and although I haven't been back since then, I've followed this thread daily. I want to you to know that my wife is a hospice nurse (after working for 14 years at MD Anderson), and is now a director of a hospice in downtown Ft Worth. I've told her about what y'all are going through, so If you have any questions at all about hospice care, please call me and I'll give you her phone number.
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